The Most Reliable Parental Control App
FamiSafe lets parents control screen time, track real-time location and detect inappropriate content on kids' devices.
Screen time can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to kids. Thankfully, there are several different apps and tools that can help parents regulate their child's screen time. These apps allow parents to set limits on how much time their children can spend on the computer or phone, as well as which activities they are allowed to do.
Hundreds of millions of children have regular access to TVs and other technologies. In addition, children of all ages use tablets, phones, PCs, and other gadgets. While screen time can be beneficial—particularly during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, when technology assisted us in socializing—you may still want to keep an eye on your youngster's behavior. As a parent, you have the right to set certain expectations, such as when your children can use screens and for how long.
There are a few different ways to set PC screen time limits on devices. You could do it manually—by setting the alarm or timer—but that's not always practical. You could also nag them, but that would likely just lead to arguments. Instead, the most effective way to set screen time limits is by using an app or service that automatically enforces your rules.
Parental control apps, as the name implies, are designed to help parents manage their children's screen time. They let you set limits on how long your kids can use certain apps or devices, and they can also track their online activity. Some of these apps also let you block certain websites and content. All of this provides parents peace of mind in today's screen-addled culture.
Here are a few of the best apps to set screen time limits on Windows and Mac computers.
Part 1: What Apps Allow You to Set Screen Time on Windows 10?
1. FamiSafe by Wondershare
FamiSafe is one of the most popular parental control apps on the market. It's available for both Android and iOS devices, as well as for PCs and MacBooks. It has a wide range of features to help parents manage their kids' screen time. One of the most useful features is setting limits on how long your kids can use certain apps or devices. You can also block certain apps and websites and track your kids' online activity.
FamiSafe also has a geofencing feature that lets you track your kids' location, and it can send you alerts if they wander outside a designated safe area. It also includes a unique cyberbullying prevention function that scans text messages received by children and searches for potentially harmful text messages. FamiSafe offers a 3-day free trial and starts at US $9.99/monthly.
Features:
- Detects offensive / harmful / adult words in kids' text messages, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, and sends an alert.
- Remote control function.
- Checks offensive / suspicious photos on devices and sends an alert.
- Can track the real-time location of kids and location history.
- Can block offensive / suspicious apps and games and monitor usage.
- Parents can set safe zones ranging from 100m to 1000m, and the app sends alerts when a kid enters or leaves geo-fences.
- Web content filtering blocks offensive / harmful websites and videos involving porn, gambling, violence, etc.
- Screen time tracking and setting screen time limits for bedtime, study time, etc.
Try FamiSafe, Limit kids' screen time.
Pros
Easy to use.
Available for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Chromebook.
Geo-fencing feature.
Can monitor an unlimited number of devices.
Cons
Comes only with a 3-day free trial period.
The web filter function only works in web browsers.
The iOS version has limited features.
2. Microsoft Family Safety
Microsoft Family Safety is a free parental control app for PCs and Macs. It's a fairly basic app, but it does have some useful features. For example, you can block certain apps and websites and track your kids' online activity. Microsoft Family Safety also includes a unique feature that lets you see how much time your family spends online and what they're doing. This can help you understand your children's behavior and help them manage their screen time. The Microsoft Family Safety is free and comes with location monitoring, web filtering, app blocking, and usage scheduling for up to six family members under one account login. Alternatively, you may subscribe to Microsoft 365 Family for $99 annually.
Features:
- Parents can set daily limits for total screen time across all devices or device-specific limits for each child individually.
- Parents can control the number of time children spend using specific apps or block them entirely.
- Parents can block inappropriate websites or allow only certain ones.
Pros
Attractive user interface and app design.
Web-blocking, app-blocking, and scheduling features work nicely on Windows devices.
Excellent location tracking.
Cons
Web content filtering and monitoring don't work effectively on Android apps.
Screen time restrictions don't work on Android.
Can't monitor social media apps.
Part 2: How to Set Up Screen Time Limit on a Mac?
1. Apple Screen Time
If you use an Apple device, you may be familiar with Screen Time, an app from Apple that was introduced on iPhone and iPad in 2018. Screen Time has now been released for macOS Catalina or later and comes with many useful features found on other screen time monitoring apps for computers. Screen Time keeps track of how you use your device or Mac and offers features such as blocking applications, websites, and contacts. It also sends a report to your phone via a notification about your device usage. If you're a parent and have a shared family account with your kids, you can see their activity and set limits on their devices as well.
Features:
- Schedule and set a downtime where only the apps you approved to run.
- Set password to lock screen time settings restricting anyone from making unauthorized changes.
- Use the password to extend the time an app may run.
- Set limitations and time limits to apps and app categories on your device.
- Set who can call the user during screen time and downtime.
- Set restrictions on explicit content, purchases, downloading, and privacy.
- Block offensive / suspicious content.
Pros
Works great on Apple devices.
Build-in feature, totally free.
Easy to use.
The downtime feature can be used to limit device usage.
Can limit whom kids can contact.
Cons
Only compatible with iOS 12 or later and macOS Catalina or later.
No location tracking.
Lacks geofencing feature.
How to Turn On Screen Time On Your Mac With MacOS Catalina Or Later
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings/Preferences
- Click Screen Time.
- Navigate to 'Enable Screen Time' and click Turn On.
To see usage information for every other device signed in to iCloud with your Apple ID, select "Share across devices" on each Mac. And on each iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Screen Time and turn on the same setting.
If you're using Family Sharing to manage a child's account, turn on Screen Time directly from your child's devices. Here's how you can do it.
- Go to Apple menu> System Settings/Preferences>Family Sharing.
- Click Screen Time in the sidebar, then select your child's name from the list on the right.
- Click the Open Screen Time button to return to Screen Time preferences.
- Choose your child's name from the menu in the upper-left corner.
- Click Options in the lower-left corner.
- Click Turn On.
2. FamiSafe by Wondershare
FamiSafe works great on Apple and Android devices and is one of the most comprehensive parental control apps available. It comes with all the features you would expect from a top-rated screen time management app, including web filtering, app blocking, location tracking, and remote device management. In addition, FamiSafe can limit how long your kids can use specific apps and track their driving speed. FamiSafe is very user-friendly and has a clean interface that is easy to navigate.
If you and your kids are on iOS, setting up FamiSafe is easy. Here's a step-by-step instruction on how you can do it:
- Sign Up for a FamiSafe account using your email. You can also use your Apple ID to log in FamiSafe app.
- Install the FamiSafe app on your device and kid's devices.
- After the app has been installed, go to Settings>Screen Time.
- Hit the 'Block Device' to block the kid's whole device.
- Tap Set Screen Time Limit. Select a start and end time.
- Tap OK to start the 'screen' time allowance.
Part 3: Is It Possible For Kids To Remove Screen Time Limit On PC? How to Stop Them?
Yes, it is possible for kids to remove screen time limits on their computers. Kids can easily find ways to bypass the restrictions you set, and many programs and websites offer ways to do this. If you're concerned about your kids removing the limits you've set, you can do a few things to prevent this.
First, choose a screen time management app with strong parental controls. Next, look for an app that offers web filtering, blocking, and remote device management features. These features will make it more difficult for your kids to bypass the restrictions you've set.
Second, talk to your kids about why you're setting limits on their screen time. Explain that you're doing this because you care about their well-being and want them to have a healthy relationship with technology. Explain to them that the internet isn't a safe place for them, and there are many things they can come across that they shouldn't see. They can unknowingly befriend strangers, share too much information about themselves, or stumble across explicit content. Let them know you're open to hearing their suggestions about managing screen time in a way that works for everyone.
Third, be consistent with your rules and enforce them consistently. If you allow your kids to break the rules sometimes, they'll be more likely to do it again in the future.
Finally, monitor your kids' screen time and monitor their activity. This will help you spot any patterns or trends in their behavior so that you can address them quickly.
Screen time is a necessary part of life in the modern world, but it's essential to use it in moderation. By setting limits on your kids' screen time and using parental controls, you can ensure they have a healthy relationship with technology.
Wondershare Famisafe - The Most Reliable Parental Control App
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Location Tracking & Geo-fencing
App Blocker & Web Filtering
Screen Time Control
Smart Parental Control Setting
Block In-app Purchase